PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level of disability (100%), and his claim for a TDIU prior to September 15, 2015 is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of TDIU and a higher rating for PTSD prior to June 30, 2016 due to insufficient reasons provided in the previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected middle finger disability requires the use of a brace, which causes wear and tear on his clothing. The Board has granted payment for a clothing allowance for the 2016 calendar year due to this issue.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD and denied a prior effective date claim, finding that the earliest date of receipt of a claim was May 31, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions, and that the Veteran's employment status did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

Your TDIU claim has already been granted by the Board in an October 2019 decision, and you have now withdrawn your request for a hearing before the Board. The matter is dismissed as there are no other issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including PTSD, and a skin disorder due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his active duty service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not cause occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, including addressing symptoms such as dizziness and lightheadedness.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues, including respiratory disability, psychiatric disorder, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, and foot disabilities, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of his mental health records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), bilateral hip disability, skin disability, or hypertension secondary to service-connected PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,While the Veteran asserts his symptoms began during service and continue since, the Board finds the preponderance of the evidence against such assertions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tongue cancer was denied as the evidence did not show a link between his military service and the development of the condition.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Board found that the Veteran's current mental health issues are related to his service-related stressors.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for CFS is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was denied in March 2009, and he filed a petition to reopen his claim on April 30, 2014. The Board also found remanded issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, initial compensable rating for CFS, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, along with other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU from February 7, 2013, through December 14, 2014, and SMC based on housebound status effective February 7, 2013.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was granted at 50 percent, effective October 28, 2019. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding sleep apnea and TDIU prior to August 31, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to include depression, as the Veteran's depression is a symptom of his PTSD.